Triple Digits

By CARLA RIVERA and PHIL WILLON

Aug. 31, 1998 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITERS

They came with water bottles, sunshades, mist fans and ice buckets, but nothing was quite enough to provide relief Sunday from the scorching heat at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Dozens of people who came to watch Purdue meet USC in a nationally televised football game were instead carried out of the stadium and treated for heat-related ailments. The emergency overwhelmed the stadium’s first aid staff, who were forced to call in several teams of paramedics.

In the Valley, the temperatures never became a medical emergency, although the continuing heat wave did fray nerves and keep nursery workers busy watering plants. Temperatures in Woodland Hills and Lancaster peaked at 107; Van Nuys reached 108. The downtown Civic Center set a record of 101 degrees, surpassing the peak of 100 in 1967. In Pasadena, another record was set when the temperature soared to 107 degrees. Simi Valley matched its all-time high of 106.

“As far as your heat waves this summer, this is probably in the top two,” said Jeff House of WeatherData Inc., which provides forecasts and weather information to The Times. “And, you’ve got more heat coming.”

The heat radiating from the Coliseum field was estimated by some officials to have reached 110 to 120 degrees, and it was enough to keep hundreds of fans huddled in the shade of the stadium’s tunnels during much of the game.

Many fans fortified themselves with copious amounts of beer, while a sizable contingent attacked the problem by soaking their T-shirts and tops in cold water.

“It’s so miserable,” said die-hard USC fan Carol Johnson, making a pronouncement that reverberated through the stands as often as “Go, USC.” “I’m being sensible, drinking lots of water and going into the shade when I need to. But I’ve never been this hot.”

Those stricken were both young and old, said Anthony Q. Kennedy, operations manager for Med-Event, which provides first aid services for the stadium. People began streaming in for help at kickoff, and by halftime, more than 25 fans had been treated, Kennedy said.

“We’ve had games like this where there has been a lot of heat exposure, but this is as busy as we’ve ever seen it.”

At least three people were transported to hospitals, but none of the ailments was believed to be life-threatening, said Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Randy Yslas, who was coordinating seven paramedic teams at the Coliseum.

Since this was the final weekend day of the month, it was moving day for scores of people across the Valley, including Marc Baillache, whose face was covered with a sheen of sweat as he wheeled a stereo rack up the ramp of his U-Haul in Canoga Park. It was high noon, only half of Baillache’s furniture was loaded on the truck --and he still had to unload everything at his new apartment.

“I have to be out of this place by Tuesday, so I really didn’t have a choice,” said Baillache, 33, a quality control manager at a Valley electronics firm. It wasn’t going to get any better. His new place was in Chatsworth, where it was said to be even hotter. And a flight of stairs awaited him. “I can’t wait,” he groaned.

A few blocks away on International Avenue, Mick Lindsey was carrying a bundle of his girlfriend’s dresses down two flights of stairs to her convertible for the trip to her new home in Simi Valley.

“Hot. Hot. Hot. Very Hot,” said a drenched Lindsey, a Jaguar mechanic. “Of all the places I’d like to be . . . this is definitely not one of them.”

Vel Lauterio spent all day watering plants at the Chatsworth Nursery Center on Topanga Canyon Boulevard. “We’ve been watering everything in the nursery, from the minute we got here this morning,” said Lauterio. “We’ll keep on watering them until we leave.”

It was obvious why. In one corner of the nursery was the “dead pile,” where stacks of shriveled brown ice plant, lantana and other popular outdoor plants were decaying after succumbing to the heat.

“People don’t realize, everything needs water when it gets this hot,” she said.

Louis Marino may have needed it, but he didn’t expect it. The 4-year-old was sitting--and baking--in the stands at the USC game when relief came, courtesy of Darin Miller, a stranger sitting behind the youngster. Miller poured a cup of ice-cold water on Louis’ red USC cap. A squeal of delight erupted from the boy.

“That feels a lot better,” he sighed.

“More please,” said his mother, Hilda Marino, in the next seat.

With that, Miller, a USC fan who had come to the game with friends, upended an icy cup of water down the boy’s back and squirted his 8-year-old sister Melinda for good measure.

“We don’t know who he is,” said Hilda Marino, pointing to Miller, “But we’re ready to adopt him.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Keeping Cool as Valley Sizzles

With weather forecasters predicitng sizzlilng temperatures for the next several days in the San Fernando Valley, heat-related maladies become an all too-real threat. Below is a guide to recognizing the sysmptoms of serious conditions and taking first-aid measures. Also listed are tip for avoiding overheating.

Heat dangers

Heat cramps: Usually affect the legs and/or abdomen. Can signal the early stages of more serous heat-related injuries. Restings in a cool area, drinking cool fluids and massaging the cramped areas is often enough to counter the symptoms.

Heat exhaustion: Marked by headaches, nausea, dizziness or fatigue. Treatment is the same as for heat cramps but should be administered promptly to avoid mild shock or heatstroke.

Heatstroke: When left untreated, heatstroke can be fatal as the body, overwhelmed by fatigue, begins to stop functioning. Symptoms include low or high body temperature, red or dry skin, progressive loss of consciousness, rapid or weak pulse, shallow breathing and vomiting. Seek emergency care immediately.

Tips for staying cool

Drink plenty of water.

Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.

Try to avoid going outside between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the rays of the sun are strongest.

Use sunscreen when outside during the day, even if conditions are cloudy.

Wear a hat with a brim.

Eat small meals throughout the day.

Avoid foods high in protein, which increases metabolic heat.

Skip alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.

Avoid using salt tablets unless told to do so by a doctor.

Work out in the early mornings or evenings. On very hot days, excercise indoors.

Sources: American Cancer Society, American Academy of Dermatology, Wellness Encyclopedia.